Solved How do I manage BIOS content?

desertdad · May 28, 2022

My objective is to display the status of and track changes to BIOS settings in a Dell Optiplex 7090 MiniTower running Windows 11 PRO. I was surprised when I took a look at BIOS settings to discover over eighty individual settings, many of which I had no idea what they were for. On top of that I find in Dell Community postings that when Dell makes BIOS updates using Dell Update they also set other BIOS settings back to default values. I don't know if that is true, but there are multiple references to that effect in the postings. That means I need to pay more attention to the state of every setting and confirm they continue to be what I expect or have changed for some reason. I also want some method of keeping some sort of value collection and changes over time for debugging purposes and disaster recovery.
Dell does provide a text based active directory page of settings. That really helps
I have a similar challenge with my Dell XPS 8090 tower but on a smaller scale. It would be nice if the answer isn't specific to a 7090.
Any ideas? Utilities? free or pay? recommendations? Am I smoking something? The idea of keeping track of over eighty settings over time is challenging.

cereberus · May 28, 2022

Photograph of each screen?

Ghot · May 28, 2022

@desertdad

I'm not familiar with how DELL does it, or IF they do it at all.
Check your BIOS on the "Tools" tab, maybe, for something called "Profiles"

The BIOSes on most non-prebuilt computer, motherboards, have a way to Save and/or Export the current BIOS settings.

Also, I would check (from within Windows), for a DELL utility that may offer the same type of options.

I found this, with a quick Google...

Dell Command | Configure Version 3.1 User's Guide | Dell US

SmokeMe · May 28, 2022

My new ASUS board (Q370M-C) has a very weak user manual so I DL the .pdf.
Instead of printing out the .pdf I use it for reference & take photos of all my preferred BIOS settings.
You might do that too if there is nothing else available.

RFS · May 28, 2022

My MSI H410 motherboard has a record facility. With a Flash drive plugged in, you press F12 and it records the screenshot to that, as in this example below. I expect MB manufacturers all have different ways of achieving the same ....

Ghot · May 28, 2022

SmokeMe said:
My new ASUS board (Q370M-C) has a very weak user manual so I DL the .pdf.
Instead of printing out the .pdf I use it for reference & take photos of all my preferred BIOS settings.
You might do that too if there is nothing else available.

I see your BIOS has a Tools tab.
You might want to check there, for a way to "save" your BIOS settings, as well.

This is from one of my very old (15+ years ago?), ASUS motherboard manuals...

NavyLCDR · May 28, 2022

I've never actually seen a BIOS update reset the settings to default. I think the people who claimed to have it happen to them had something else wrong.

Bree · May 28, 2022

desertdad said:
BIOS settings in a Dell Optiplex 7090 MiniTower running Windows 11 PRO....
I find in Dell Community postings that when Dell makes BIOS updates using Dell Update they also set other BIOS settings back to default values.

NavyLCDR said:
I've never actually seen a BIOS update reset the settings to default. I think the people who claimed to have it happen to them had something else wrong.

I have a Dell Latitude 5410 that has just had its third BIOS update from Dell since the beginning of this year. None of my settings were ever changed.

glasskuter · May 28, 2022

I have an Optiplex 7080 purchased last Summer. I have gone through 6 bios updates and never have my settings changed. The individual bios settings are included in the Setup and Specifications guide which you can download from Dell. Support for OptiPlex 7090 | Documentation | Dell US

NoNoBadDog · May 28, 2022

While I commend your desire to learn more, the one thing that came to mind when I read your question was 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'. Changing settings in the UEFI/BIOS can render your computer unusable. In general, if windows or a piece of software requires a BIOS setting and your computer does not have that enabled, a pop up will appear telling you what setting needs to be changed, and what change to make in that setting. If everything is operating normally, you would be better off just leaving the UEFI/BIOS alone.

PerpetualCycle · May 28, 2022

desertdad said:
My objective is to display the status of and track changes to BIOS settings in a Dell Optiplex 7090 MiniTower running Windows 11 PRO. I was surprised when I took a look at BIOS settings to discover over eighty individual settings, many of which I had no idea what they were for. On top of that I find in Dell Community postings that when Dell makes BIOS updates using Dell Update they also set other BIOS settings back to default values. I don't know if that is true, but there are multiple references to that effect in the postings. That means I need to pay more attention to the state of every setting and confirm they continue to be what I expect or have changed for some reason. I also want some method of keeping some sort of value collection and changes over time for debugging purposes and disaster recovery.
Dell does provide a text based active directory page of settings. That really helps
I have a similar challenge with my Dell XPS 8090 tower but on a smaller scale. It would be nice if the answer isn't specific to a 7090.
Any ideas? Utilities? free or pay? recommendations? Am I smoking something? The idea of keeping track of over eighty settings over time is challenging.

Practically any BIOS update on any motherboard will reset to default values. THis is becauae changes in the BIOS might invalidate some settings.

If yoiu are interested in seeing a number of BIOS settings, I would recommend HWINFO64. It is free. You can also monitor performance with it and make time series graphs of motherboard sensors. One of the best free utilities out there.

glasskuter · May 28, 2022

NoNoBadDog said:
If everything is operating normally, you would be better off just leaving the UEFI/BIOS alone.

I agree to leave bios as is, as even the smallest change can have negative ramifications unless the user knows exactly what he is changing. Dell configures their bios from the factory for optimal performance. I also agree with @cereberus. If you want to keep record of what the current settings are, take a photo of each page with your cell phone. However, I also think it is a good thing to want to know what the settings actually do. The manual explains each setting in detail without you actually having to be in the bios to understand it.

desertdad · May 28, 2022

I agree that you need very good reason to change any value in your BIOS and then only if you have trusted and explicit instructions. Dell is very good at providing detailed documentation [with pictures] and that makes things like installing drives much easier. In this case they, perhaps on purpose, don't say much about BIOS settings. My Optiplex 7090 Tower Setup and Specifications doc dated April 2022 makes no mention of or lists BIOS settings. When you see they first page of BIOS Setup there is a selectable text called 'View All'. Selecting that brings up a single blue screen with a text list of all available settings by category. If you know exactly what you are looking for that is a great tool. They also provide selectable Advanced Setup ON/OFF item. One list is just longer than the other and you get more or fewer settings to deal with. All in all, easy to navigate.
I'm running out of runway personally to do more with this thread. I'll be out of pocket for a couple of weeks. I'll get some pics and post them when I get back.
Thanks for all your feedback and advice so far.
Dick

stormy13 · May 28, 2022

geneo said:
Practically any BIOS update on any motherboard will reset to default values. THis is becauae changes in the BIOS might invalidate some settings.

Also why most motherboards (not off the shelf ones) don't allow loading a saved bios to be loaded after a bios update.

Berton · May 28, 2022

I'd wonder how many users who over-clock their computers aiming for faster performance will allow for BIOS updates which may undo all their settings.

PerpetualCycle · May 28, 2022

stormy13 said:
Also why most motherboards (not off the shelf ones) don't allow loading a saved bios to be loaded after a bios update.

I already addressed that. Old settings may not be valid in an updated BIOS.

PerpetualCycle · May 28, 2022

Berton said:
I'd wonder how many users who over-clock their computers aiming for faster performance will allow for BIOS updates which may undo all their settings.

I do, as do other over-clockers.. I generally revert back to an earlier BIOS if I loose performance, as long as it is still secure to my satisfaction.

zbook · May 28, 2022

The computer I'm using to type this post is a HP business model (mobile workstation) or laptop.
It has HP software that displays the BIOS settings.
When windows is in use the BIOS settings can be viewed and modified.

The laptop is approximately 10 years old.
It has an old version of HP Performance advisor.

The newer HP computers have newer versions of HP performance advisor.

When you contact Dell ask them about their software.

HP Performance Advisor

Maximize your workstation performance.

www.hp.com

desertdad · May 29, 2022

Here's a couple of pics. One is what you see with just F2 and one is what you see when you select View All at the top right corner of the native F2 Bios Setup. My Dell 8950 tower desktop doesn't have anything like View All.

AddRAM · May 29, 2022

Ahhh, Welcome to the world of the Bios :) and ElevenForum :) Glad to have you as a new member.
You could spend weeks in there and still not understand what everything does.
I could only imagine how undesirable a Dell Bios could be.
Why aren`t you updated to .675 yet ?